PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN IN LARYNGEAL-CANCER

The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in paraffin secti ons from 154 cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were examined. There was significant difference in PCNA expression between the contr ol group and cancer patients (p<0.001). The mean score of PCNA was hig her in patients with poor prognosis than in patients with satisfactory outcome after treatment (p<0.05). There was no significant correlatio n between the PCNA count and the patient's age and sex, T and N stage and site of the tumour. Univariate analysis revealed that the PCNA sco re correlated with the patients' survival rates. In multivariate analy sis the prognostic value of PCNA was on the statistical borderline (p = 0.049). In our study clinical features like N and T status had a mor e important influence on survival rate. Nevertheless it appears that t he immunohistological examination of PCNA in paraffin section could be a complementary prognostic tool for laryngeal carcinoma. PCNA express ion may also be a valuable tool for differentiating malignant from ben ign laryngeal epithelium.